Working from home

In response to the most recent Government advice and in order to protect our clients, our employees and NHS capacity, Brooke House has suspended normal services for now and our employees are all working from home. The Health and Wellbeing Centre in Colebrooke Park is closed and we are offering a portfolio of services remotely. Check Here

Some of you, like our staff team, are now working from home, and we wanted to share with you our top tips for working from home:

1. Stick with a routine.

Wake up at your normal time, shower, and get dressed in real clothes (not pyjamas!). This helps you mentally prepare for the day ahead and get into the “I’m going to work” mindset.
Keep a set schedule. If you typically work nine-to-five hours, keep doing it at home. It’s easy to lose track of time and if you can’t stick to a typical work-life balance, you may find yourself getting easily burnt out.

2. Create a work space…

Those who successfully work from home agree that you’re best off setting up a station. If you don’t have a desk, use your dining room table. Besides making you feel like you’re at an “office,” this helps you maintain good posture, avoid distractions, and leave your work behind at the end of the day.

3. Move and/or stand often

Sitting all day isn’t healthy. If you can stand up to take calls, regularly stretch and move around.
Exercise daily! Remember your 2m social distancing unless you are with people who live in the same household.

4. Get some fresh air.

Open your windows to let in as much natural daylight and fresh air as possible and take short walks if you live in an unpopulated area — and be sure to wash your hands as soon as you return home.
When natural sunlight hits the skin, it triggers the body’s production of vitamin D which is a crucial ingredient for overall health. It is advised to get at least 10-15 minutes of sunlight daily.

5. Stay connected with your colleagues.

Check in regularly with your colleagues and manager. Share work status updates and support each other to deliver your team goals. Set up regular check-ins via phone or video conferencing like Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. Make sure everyone’s contact numbers and emergency contact details are up to date.

6. Fight the urge to multitask.

There’s nothing wrong with taking a little break, but don’t let chores distract you from being productive. You wouldn’t be doing them if you were at work. If you prepare meals in advance or pack snacks ahead of time for the office, do the same at home so you don’t get preoccupied in the kitchen. Chances are you don’t watch TV at work either, so try not to leave it on, even if it’s just background noise.

7. If you have kids, prepare for disruptions.

Here are tips from real parents who are mastering the work-from-home challenge:

Get help, if you can. It might not be the best choice for your family with the social distancing advisory, but if you have someone that can help out (e.g. a family member that can stay isolated with you), you’ll be able to get the most amount of work done. If you co-parent, take turns between watching the kids and working. When you’re working, hide in a separate room so your kids don’t know you’re there.

Mix up your hours. If your job allows for it – especially with companies being more lenient around COVID-19 – try to squeeze in work when your baby or toddler is asleep, like early morning, nap times, and at night. It’s not ideal, but you’ll be more productive if you have quiet time to yourself.

Explain the situation. It’s a good idea to talk to your kids about coronavirus, especially older ones who can better understand the impact it’ll have on your day-to-day life.

Try new activities. Fun toys and games that kids haven’t played with before will keep them entertained longer. Time-consuming projects, like crafts, stickers, puzzles, and Legos, are sure to buy you some time.

8. Keep cleaning!

Wash your hands for 20 seconds more frequently and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues. Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, using your standard cleaning products.

9.Confidentiality

Protect paper documents. Anything related to clients or of a confidential nature should be kept locked up in a secure location when it’s not in use. If you don’t have a shredder keep confidential documents under lock and key until you can dispose of them safely.